Principal 

International Women’s Day 2023

On Friday 10 March, our Parents and Friends Association sponsored the College’s first International Women’s Day Breakfast, with around 300 people in attendance to hear internationally acclaimed speaker, Rachael Robertson, tell of her time leading a team through 12 months in Antarctica. A number of College representatives spoke of the significance International Women’s Day held for them, and introduced our guest speaker.  Thank you to members of the P&F for hosting the event; the feedback for which has been extremely positive. Student Leaders and senior staff members from Kilbreda College, De La Salle College and Mentone Girls’ Grammar also attended the breakfast.

International Women’s Day is a celebration of respect, love and care towards women.  It is wonderful that this special day can have a place of its own at our College and in the wider community. I am particularly proud that it can play an essential role in the curriculum and formation programs within St Bede’s College, and that teaching and talking about respectful relationships forms part of the holistic education of our students.  Our boys are respectfully challenged to examine and note the historical struggle of women to find equity, to be aware of the empowerment of women, to celebrate their many achievements and to develop a genuine and deep respect for all women – continuing the search for true equity! All students are encouraged to engage in sincere, and developmentally appropriate, discussions on this theme whenever such an opportunity arises.

St Bede’s College is a Catholic School in the Lasallian tradition.  Accordingly, we take on the responsibility for the education and formation of young men who engage in respectful relationships with women.   We are called to promote a community that is inclusive of the voice of women, the visibility of women in our public profile and leadership roles, that supports quality education for all women and girls globally, and demonstrates the innate respect that one should have for all of God’s people. These points have been well articulated by our Brother Visitor, Brother Tim Peter, who noted that “true change can only come from equality in participation and voice” and asks whether we are “mindfully making space for the women in [our] life to shine?”.

We do this, of course, in the spirit of partnering with our families to educate and raise young men (and women) who will make a real difference in their own families, communities, and the world. We take on this challenge so that our graduates and current students will stand up and speak up, and will promote and expect equality, equity, dignity, and respect for all.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the women who work and volunteer in our College and thank them for the amazing and essential work they do in supporting, teaching, coaching, leading and advising our students.  Above all, I acknowledge the mothers of our boys and their essential role as educators and guides of our developing of young men.  I believe it is most significant that, in an all-boys’ school, we take the opportunity to celebrate the special women in our own lives and, most importantly, to celebrate women everywhere.

MAD Day – Friday March 24, 2023

Together We Serve:  Locally and Globally

While we had a remarkable time celebrating Mission Action Day – including a 10km Walkathon, carnival rides, food, challenges, friendship and community - we are only midway through “MAD season”, with the focus continuing to be on raising funds for our Lasallian Schools in Pakistan and Papua New Guinea and Balgo WA.  It was certainly a day of celebration for our community; the celebration of one to raise support for another. We are well-placed to achieve our fundraising target of $85,000 - to mark the 85th year of St Bede’s College – which will be donated in support of “the last, the lost and the least” (St John Baptist De La Salle). If you have not done so already, please consider making a donation via the following link - https://www.mycause.com.au/events/mad23

Staff Recognition

My warmest congratulations to Kirk Thomson, who has been selected to be part of the World Youth Day Emerging Leaders Program. This selection followed a significant application process.

Kirk will join a contingency of 585 pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne who will journey together over the coming months as they prepare to join the Holy Father and millions of young Catholics from around the world in Lisbon for the celebration of World Youth Day.

The 18-day professional learning program will provide an opportunity for emerging leaders, such as Kirk, in Catholic education, health and social services to encounter, engage and embark on a leadership journey underpinned by our Catholic faith. Kirk will explore how to share his knowledge, understanding and life-changing experiences with and for the benefit of St Bede’s College upon his return. 

Starting in Rome, Kirk will be engaged in a rich learning environment to develop his leadership identity through self-reflection and spiritual discernment, immersed in the rich historical context and surrounds of the Vatican City. Following a retreat experience in Assisi, he will travel to Lisbon to join the World Youth Day events. He will learn from a range of key thought leaders throughout the program, including Archbishop Peter A Comensoli who will be the lead pilgrim on the Emerging Leaders Program.

My warmest congratulations also to both Sally Spencer and Mark Comas on completing their Master of Education (Digital Technologies), with the University of Sydney. A wonderful achievement and the culmination of much work and effort.  

College Happenings

Best wishes to all students who will be competing in the ACC Swimming Carnival later in the week.  This carnival is the culmination of many weeks of early morning training sessions, and we thank all of our squad members (and their parents!) for their commitment to attending these sessions, ensuring they are adequately equipped to perform at their best.

Congratulations to all students who competed in ACC competition this Term. Three teams made it to the Grand Final; the T20 Senior Cricket Team, the Senior Tennis Team, and the 35 Over Firsts Senior Cricket Team. The T20 Cricket Team and the Senior Tennis Team came extremely close to winning the premiership, and I congratulate them on their achievements.  The 35 Over Team defeated Whitefriars in the Grand Final to win back-to-back premierships; my congratulations, too, to these students.

Our Student Leaders have certainly commenced the year with a bang.  Making inroads with environmental awareness, the introduction of a piano at each Campus for students to play at lunchtimes, the multitude of MAD fundraising activities (with particular mention of the Beda’s Got Talent), all demonstrating the characteristic of ‘service’.  Reflecting on their first term within the role, they should be well-pleased with their energy, efforts and commitment.  I encourage all of you, if you have not already done so, to have a listen to the first of the Beda Broadcast that has been prepared by the Leaders, available via the following link - https://vimeo.com/808141837/7c2c20e498

This coming Wednesday, our students will engage in a liturgy to mark Holy Week. For all Christians, Easter is a solemn time where we reflect on the Passion narrative, and remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ before celebrating His triumphant resurrection.  On the evening of Holy Thursday, we specifically recall the Last Supper and the simple, yet powerful example of Christ ‘breaking bread’ and sharing a meal with his followers. On Good Friday, many Catholics will walk the Stations of the Cross, deeply reflecting on the suffering of Jesus and of all humanity.  Easter Sunday allows us to celebrate Jesus Christ rising again; His death and subsequent resurrection are central to our faith and a reminder that we too can begin anew. 

Echoing the constant teaching of our Catholic tradition, Pope Francis has often reminded us that faith does not spare us the burdens and sufferings of life.  What faith can do is enable us to bear these painful realities, sometimes with great difficulty, in union with Christ.  What we cannot do alone, we can hope to be able to accomplish if we cling to Him.  This is our Easter message of hope and renewal.  Best wishes to all for a holy, happy and safe Easter Season.

Per Vias Rectas

Deb Frizza

Principal